DUET, industry leaders discuss stronger research and innovation collaboration

Today (27 September), Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, held its "Industry-Academia Collaborative Event 2026," bringing together industry representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in research, innovation, start-ups, and technology transfer.

Organised by DUET's Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the event opened with a roundtable titled "Strengthening Start-up, Innovation and Industry-Academia Collaboration" in the vice-chancellor's conference room, according to the press release.

Deans of different faculties, heads of departments, institute directors, the director of Research and Extension, industry representatives and other stakeholders attended the discussion.

Participants discussed in detail the potential challenges to establishing productive and sustainable cooperation between academia and industry and possible strategies to address them.

DUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal chaired the event, while University Grants Commission (UGC) Member Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun attended as the chief guest.

In his address, Mamun outlined government initiatives, UGC policy support, and plans to develop research, innovation, and start-up culture at higher education institutions.

"To make university-based research practical and market-oriented, it is essential to build an effective bridge between educational institutions and industry, and the UGC continues to provide comprehensive policy support in this regard," he said.

Mamun said the government had taken an initiative to introduce third-language learning at universities as part of implementing its election manifesto, with the programme expected to be introduced at different universities by December this year.

He also said a national-level innovation fair was organised this year as part of the Ministry of Education's agenda to strengthen industry-academia collaboration.

"The government has allocated Tk500 crore in this year's budget for developing a start-up culture. At the same time, Tk800 crore has been allocated to the creative economy sector," Mamun said.

He said the government has set a target to raise the creative economy's contribution to the country's GDP to 10% within the next 10 years.

"Ensuring appropriate financing, mentoring and institutional structures is essential to transform the innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs and researchers into reality. Roundtables of this kind can serve as an important step towards achieving that objective," he added.

The UGC member thanked DUET for arranging the roundtable with industry representatives and assured the university of UGC's support for its future development.

In his presidential address, DUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal outlined the university's initiatives and plans for strengthening research, innovation and start-up culture.

"It is difficult to translate research-based knowledge into practical outcomes without coordinated collaboration with industry," Iqbal said.

"Recognising this reality, DUET is working to expand joint research, internship and technology-transfer opportunities with industrial organisations."

He said effective academia-industry collaboration could boost growth in the country's production sector, reduce imports, and save foreign currency.

The vice-chancellor also proposed holding similar discussions at DUET every three months and submitting reports to the UGC every six months.

"Developing an entrepreneurial mindset among students and moving their innovative projects towards commercialisation are among the university's key objectives," he said.

With that objective in mind, DUET has already developed an ICT incubator to help turn innovative ideas into products.

Agreeing with the chief guest, Iqbal said, "With policy support from the UGC, DUET will be able to develop an integrated innovation ecosystem more rapidly."

The vice-chancellor also referred to various government initiatives in higher education, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's initiative to introduce third-language learning, and expressed DUET's commitment to establishing a Global Language Centre and providing the necessary support.

He thanked the chief guest, special guest, university deans, departmental heads, directors, IQAC Director Professor Dr Md Obaidur Rahman, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department Head Professor Dr Hasan Mohammad Mostafa Afroz, industry representatives and other participants.

DUET Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ruma spoke as the special guest during the panel discussion.

She discussed the university's role and plans for academia-industry collaboration and called for long-term partnerships with the industry representatives attending the programme.

At the beginning of the programme, Research and Extension Director Professor Dr Md Anwarul Abedin welcomed the guests and participants and briefly outlined the event's objectives and the importance of academia-industry collaboration.

Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department Head Professor Dr Hasan Mohammad Mostafa Afroz later delivered a presentation titled "Research and Development and Innovation Facilities at DUET", outlining the university's research infrastructure and facilities supporting innovation.

IQAC Director Professor Dr Md Obaidur Rahman moderated the programme. He summarised the day's key issues and thanked the guests and participants.

IQAC Additional Director Professor Dr Shafiqul Islam served as rapporteur.

Representatives from BdREN, Brac Bank PLC, Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Limited, Meghna Group of Industries, Walton Hi-Tech Industries, PRAN-RFL Group, Nestlé Bangladesh, Akij Ceramics, Urmi Group, Max Group, Gencore Solutions, Development Design Consultants Limited, Masco Group, Decathlon, Rancon Auto Industries Limited, Innovation IT Limited, G-Widgets Company Limited and Ecotex Limited attended the event.

In the second part of the programme, an open discussion titled "The Future of Youth in Bangladesh in the Perspective of Entrepreneurship and Soft Skill Development" was held at the Shaheed Shakil Parvez Auditorium.

The chief guest, special guest, industry representatives and final-year students took part in the discussion.

During the session, Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun referred to initiatives undertaken by the current government to develop higher education and encouraged students to participate in them and contribute to the country's development.

He also exchanged views with students following his address.

Gencore Solutions CEO and former DUET student Jishan Ahammad later shared his practical professional experiences with the students.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from the chair.